“I’ve come to save you fro’ trouble,” said Tom. “Do as I tell you, quick. This is no time for stopping, when at any moment a mob of savage workmen may be ready to tear down the place.”
He pointed to the veiled figure as he spoke, and the girl drew back, while the strange visitor shrank to the wall. But only for a moment; the next she uttered a sob, and holding out her hands, she cried—
“Oh, Tom, Tom; did you know me?”
“Know you,” he said bitterly; “yes, I’d tell thee anywheers.”
“Wean’t you tak’ my hands?” she cried. “Niver again, lass, niver again.”
“Is this the way you meet me, then, Tom?”
“Ay, lass. How would’st thou hev me meet thee? Why hev you comed here?”
“Oh, Tom, I was i’ Sheffle, and I met Big Harry. He told me such dreadful things about father.”
“I wonder he didn’t tell thee the old man weer dead.”
“Oh, Tom, if you knew all,” cried the girl.